Contol Fire Ants
In Commercial Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables
Although they prey on other insect pests, fire ants are often considered pests themselves because they sting field workers and interfere with harvest and other hand labor operations.
Granular baits can be used to control fire ants, but only a few baits are labeled for use around food crops—be sure you use a bait that is. Baits work well, but they work slowly, so it is important to apply them preventively. See Bug-Wise Newsletter No. 4, 2008, Control Fire Ants in Commercial Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables for recommended bait treatments and how to apply them. Read the section on Fire Ant Biology to learn more about how and why baits work.
Contact
Dr. Blake Layton, Extension Entomology Specialist
Department of Entomology, Mississippi State University
Phone: (662) 325-2085
Email: blayton@entomology.msstate.edu
